System and method for coding exposed x-ray films

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing identifying indicia on exposed X-ray films with there being apparatus for exposing a confined elongated portion of the film to a source of X-ray and providing within the line of sight of this source indicia opaque to X-rays. These indicia are contained on members that are laterally adjustable relative to the confined elongated portion of the film thereby facilitating changing the indicia as desired so as to give the desired identification on the developed negative. After thus exposing this confined portion of the film, the film is removed from this apparatus and this portion is masked from Xrays. The principal X-ray is then taken and thereafter the film is developed to produce a negative that bears the desired subject and the identifying indicia.

United States Patent m13,s96,094

[72] Inven r! W Cflm 3.50.263 9/1964 Catlin H v 250/66 142 CownzcltRood; 1261647 8/ i966 Murphy et all 250/67 Theodore F- Coles. 28 NorthBaykss A e. 34156.! H 7/1969 Barnes et al 250/67 2 A I No wuhmamn'Primary Examiner-James W. Lawrence 52 M 7 1969 Assistant Examiner-C. E.Church [45] Patented July 27' Attorney-Eldon H. Luther 54 1 svsrr-zm ANDMETHOD FOR comm; EXPOSED A and pmfiding idemifying My FILMS mdlcia onexposed X-ray films with there being apparatus for 3 m m exposing aconfined elongated portion of the film to a source of X-ray and provtdmgwlthln the line of sight of thls source lll U-S. .t dicia opaque to Xays These are contained on mem- 250/67 hers that are laterallyadjustable relative to the confined elon- [Sl] Int. Cl. 4. .G03b ll/I6gated portion f the fil thereby f ilit ti changing the sand! 250/67dicia as desired so as to give the desired identification on thedeveloped negative. After thus exposing this confined portion [56]Reta-um GM of the film, the film is removed from this apparatus and thisUNITED STATES PATENTS portion is masked from X-rays. The principal X-rayis than 2,837,658 6/! 958 Limbach 250/67 taken and thereafter the filmis developed to produce a nega- 2,8$8,446 l0/l958 Parish.............250/67 tive that bears the desired subject and the identifying indicia.

PMENTEBMNIQII 3,596,094

SHEET 2 OF 5 INVENTOZ LEONAQD C R$ THEODORE F. COLES A TTORNE Y PATENTEDJUL27 IBYI SHEET 3 BF 5 FIG-g uuA E FlG-G OR. THEODORE 2%255 BY LEONARDATT'OKNEY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CODING EXPOSED X-RAY FILMS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION In hospitals and X-ray laboratories, there exists aproblem in keeping track of exposed X-Ray negatives. It is of coursenecessary to identify each X-ray negative, for example with a particularpatient or subject, and this is currently being done by coding theX-rays in a manner such that when the film is developed the code appearson the developed Xray. For example a patient may be given a particularnumber as may also the operator and the X-ray room. These numbers arethen secured to the cassette or film as by taping. Then upon exposure tothe X-rays these indicia, which are opaque to X-rays, will appear on thedeveloped film. This method is rather cumbersome and not verysatisfactory in that indicia may be lost or not properly placed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION To provide a more satisfactory systemand method for thus identifying exposed X-ray film the present inventionutilizes an apparatus that is designed specifically for providing thisindicia on the film and which contains its own X-ray source. Theapparatus has a work top or support member upon which the cassette isplaced and particularly oriented. This top has provided in it anelongated slot and the stream of X-rays from the source is directedthrough and generally confined to this slot. There is mounted adjacentthis slot a control console which contains a plurality of elongatedmembers which are oriented transversely to the slot with the membersgenerally being in side-by-side relation and adjustable transversely ofthe slot. The members contain indicia, for example numbers, which areopaque to X-rays with these indicia being contained in a portion of theelongated members that are transparent to X-rays. By laterally adjustingeach of the members the desired indicia of each of the members may bepositioned beneath the slot and indexing means is provided for eachmember to facilitate such positioning. There may be any desired numberof these members in side-by-side relation and the numbers may range fromto 9. Thus by laterally adjusting these members the desired code may bepositioned within the lateral confines of the slot so that uponactivation of the X-ray source a confined region of the filmcorresponding generally to the slot will be exposed so that upondeveloping the desired code will appear upon the film. A control circuitis provided along with indicating lights. There is a suitable controlfor activation of the X- ray source which includes a time switch. Thecontrol circuit includes means for preventing activation of the X-raysource unless the cassette containing the X-ray film is properlypositioned on the work top.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an exploded fragmentary view ofthe apparatus of the invention showing the worktop, the cabinet uponwhich it is supported, and the guide fences for the cassette.

FIG. 2 is an additional exploded view showing the apparatus fordirecting and confining the X-rays and for mounting the indicia-bearingmembers in the cabinet.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of the invention.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are views of the elongated indicia-bearing membersmounted in the control console.

FIG. I is a broken-away detail of the control console.

FIG. 8 is a section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit forming a part ofthe invention.

FIG. 10 is a view of the code produced on an exposed X-ray filmutilizing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used throughout to designate likeelements, the il lustrative and preferred embodiment of the inventionincludes a cabinet I0 upon the upper end of which is secured the worktop l2. There is provided in this work top the elongated slot I4 as wellas openings I6, 18, and 20 adjacent one end of the slot. Secured to theupper surface of work top 12 are the guide or fence members 22 and 24.The purpose of these fence members is to properly position the cassettecontaining the X ray film with relation to the work top so that the slotI4 extends along the film close to one edge thereof.

There is provided an X-ray source identified generally as 26 within thecabinet 10. The X-ray stream emanating from this source is confinedgenerally to the region of slot 14 and openings 16, I8, and 20 by meansof the element 28 which, for this purpose, may be made of lead. Thiselement is retained in position in any desired manner as by means of themembers 30 positioned at the upper end thereof and members 32 at thelower end. Thus upon properly positioning the cassette on the worksurface and activating the X-ray source a confined region adjacent oneedge of the X-ray film will be exposed to X- rays and this region willinclude the slot 14 and the openings 16, l8,and 20.

Located adjacent the slot I4 is the control console designated generally34 and which is effective to position specific indicia, such as numbers,in specific regions of the slot 14. This console includes a number ofelongated indicia-bearing members 36. Each of these members has indiciaprovided thereon which are opaque to X-rays. For example they maycontain the numbers from 0 to 9. The spacing is such that only onenumber may appear beneath the slot 14 and these members are mounted suchthat they are transverse of the slot and may be adjusted relative to theslot so that any one of the numbers thereon can appear beneath the slot.Each of the members 36 is preferably of laminated construction and thelaminates are of a material that is transparent to X-rays, such as aplastic. Thus in the illustrative arrangement the lower laminate 38(FIG. 4) is of a plastic material and has engraved in its upper surfacethe numbers 0 through 9 spaced longitudinally therealong as shown (FIG.6). These engravings are filled with a material which is opaque toX-rays. This material may be in a plastic state when placed in theengravings and may harden with time. Positioned over this lower laminateand secured thereto is the upper laminate 40. This laminate is also of aplastic material transparent to X-rays but is preferably a material thatone cannot see through and there is provided on the upper surface ofthis laminate 40 also numerals 0 through 9 corresponding to the numberstherebelow. The orientation of the numbers on the upper surface oflaminate 40 may be different from that of the numbers in laminate 38 sothat these outwardly visible numbers may be conveniently read by theoperator. In the illustrative arrangement the outwardly visible numbersare in reverse orientation with respect to those found in laminate 38with these latter being oriented to provide the proper disposition ofthe indicia on the negative.

The elongated members 36 are secured in place beneath the lower surfaceof the work top by means of the support member 42 which is provided withsuitable elongated recesses 44 to receive and guide the elongatedmembers as they are laterally adjusted relative to slot 14. The supportmember 42 is either made of an X-ray transparent material (such asplastic) or it is provided with slots 31 corresponding with the openingat the upper end of element 28 and underlying slot 14 and openings I6,18, and 20. Each of the elongated members 36 is provided with indexingmeans to properly index each of its indicia centrally within the lateralconfines of slot 14 and for this purpose there is provided at the farend of the member 36 the spring-pressed detent 46 which cooperates withthe spaced recesses 48 in plate member 50 suitably secured beneath thework top. In the illustrative arrangement this plate is spaced from thework top by means of the spacer elements 52 and there is positioned overplate member 50 and the elongated members 36 the cover or top plate 54with this plate having suitable slots through which extend the handles56 secured to the members 36.

Thus by longitudinally adjusting the members 36, with there being eightsuch members disclosed in the preferred embodiment, any number from O to9 may be positioned beneath the slot with respect to each of theelongated members and indexing means in the form of the detents iseffective to centrally position the desired number with relation to theslot. The operator can conveniently manipulate the members 36 by meansof the handles 56 and can observe what indicia is directly beneath theslot for each of the members 36 since the corresponding indicia isvisible through the slot. Each of the members can be moved to an extremeposition such that none of the indicia of the particular member will bewithin the con fines of slot 14.

In addition to having the indicia provided by members 36 appear on thefilm, the openings l6, l8, and 20 are provided to permit the insertionof additional indicia therein such as the identification of the X-rayroom, the identification of the operator and the identification of thehospital if desired. Still further there is provided a clock mechanismto give an indication of the time that the film was coded and thus theapproximate time of the X-ray. This clock mechanism includes theelectric motor 58 which is effective to drive the discs 60 and 62. Discs60 and 62 form a laminated structure similar to members 36 and areprovided with suitable X'ray opaque indicia to form a 24-hour clock. Theindicia of this clock are oriented to appear beneath opening 16.

It will be understood that it is desired to confine the Xrays as much aspossible for health reasons. Accordingly there is hinged to fence member24 a metallic cover plate 29 which will be disposed over the cassette inspaced relation thereto when the cassette is in position on the work topl2 for exposure to the X-ray source 26 to provide the desired coding onthe X-ray film. This cover 29 is of a material which is substantiallyopaque to X-rays and is hinged to provide, if desired, easy access tothe area of the slot 14.

The control of the X-ray source is through a suitable circuitillustrated in FIG. 9 with there being provided three microswitches 66two of which are positioned in the fence member 24 and one in the fencemember 22. These switches are normally open and are closed by properlypositioning the cassette against the fences thus assuring properpositioning of the film with respect to slot l4 and openings l6, l8, and20. The illustrative circuit includes the on-off switch 68 and thetimeoperated switch 70 as well as the indicator lights 72 and 74. Whenswitches 66 and 68 are closed the X-ray source may be activated byclosing switch 76 which will activate the timeoperated switch 70providing for a limited Xray exposure. The switch 70 will automaticallyopen after a predetermined time period. During activation of the X-raysource 76 indicator light 74 will be energized while upon closing ofswitch 68 indicator light 72 will be energized thus providing anindication that the apparatus is ready for operation.

in accordance with the invention the cassette containing the X-ray filmis properly positioned on the work top 12 and the elements of thecontrol console adjusted to provide the desired code for the particularX-ray film. The confined re gion of the film is then exposed byactivation of the X-ray source 26 so that the desired code will appearon the X-ray film upon developing the same. The cassette is then removedfrom the work top 12 and is then properly placed in the principal X-raymachine for X-raying the subject, for example a patient. There is placedover the confined area that has been exposed to the X-ray source a stripof lead tape or other X-ray opaque material such that this confined areawill not be exposed to the X-rays of this principal X-ray machine whichwould result in loss of the indicia provided in accordance with theinvention. With this confined area thus masked from the X-rays of theprincipal machine, the principal X-ray is taken after which the film isremoved from the cassette and the X- ray negative produced upon whichwill appear the indicia or code previously mentioned.

There is shown in FIG. a blank X-ray negative to which the code has beenapplied in accordance with the present invention and showing thedisposition of this code adjacent an edge of the negative.

It will be appreciated that with the present invention there is provideda convenient way of coding X-ray negatives which overcomes the drawbacksof systems heretofore employed which is simple to use and permits a widevariety ofidentifications to be applied to the negative. The apparatusand system of the invention is particularly convenient when a largenumber of X-rays are to be provided as when the skull is being X-rayedat depths that progressively vary in relatively small increments. Withthe invention it is an easy matter to specifically identify each X-raywith regard to the patient, operator, depth of the focus, etc.

While we have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of ourinvention it is to be understood that such is merely illustrative andnot restrictive and that variations and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wetherefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth butdesire to avail ourselves of such changes as fall within the purview ofour invention.

What we claim is:

l. The combination comprising a generally flat support member adapted tosupport an X-ray cassette and film on the working surface thereof, saidsupport member having an elon gated slot therein, an X-ray sourcedisposed so that the X-rays are directed through said slot and meansgenerally confining the X-rays to the region of the slot, meanssupporting a plurality of elongated indicia-bearing members intermediatesaid working surface and said X-ray source, said members being orientedtransversely of said slot and having a plurality of indicia spacedlongitudinally therealong and substantially opaque to X-rays, saidmembers being adjustable transversely of said slot and means forindexing said members in transversely adjusted positions so as toproperly position the various indicia spaced along said members withrelation to said slot, said members having further indicia in additionto said firstmentioned indicia with the latter indicia being positionedon the upper surface of the members and visible through said slot withsuch latter indicia being spaced along the elongated members andproviding an indication of the first-mentioned indicia to which the filmwill be exposed, each of the elongated members comprising a first striphaving the first-mentioned indicia engraved therein and filled with amaterial opaque to X-rays and a second strip overlying this engravedstrip and secured thereto with this second strip having said furtherindicia engraved in the upper strip thereof in an orientation convenientfor observation by an operator.

2. The combination comprising a generally flat support member adapted tosupport an X-ray cassette and film on the working surface thereof, saidsupport member having an elongated slot therein, an X-ray sourcedisposed so that the X-rays are directed through said slot and meansgenerally confining the X-rays to the region of the slot, meanssupporting a plurality of elongated indicia-bearing members intermediatesaid working surface and said X-ray source, said members being orientedtransversely of said slot and having a plurality of indicia spacedlongitudinally therealong and substantially opaque to X-rays, saidmembers being adjustable transversely of said slot and means forindexing said members transversely adjusted positions so as to properlyposition the various indicia spaced along said members with relation tosaid slot said members having indicia in addition to saidfirst-mentioned indicia with thelatter indicia being positioned on theupper surface of the members and visible through said slot with suchlatter in dicia being spaced along the elongated members and providingan indication of the first-mentioned indicia to which the film will beexposed, and a timing device including a motordriven portion that hasX-ray opaque indicia indicating the time of day said driven portionhaving a region exposed to said X-rays positioned intermediate saidsource and said working surface.

3. In an X-ray film-coding device the combination comprising a generallyhorizontally disposed work top having an elongated slot providedtherein, a plurality of elongated indiciabearing members mounted beneathsaid work top transversely of said slot, an X-ray source beneath saidmembers, support means retaining said members in position and permittingthem to be adjusted transversely of the slot, said members having X- rayopaque indicia spaced longitudinally therealong at intervals not lessthan the width of the slot such that upon adjustment of said memberslaterally of the slot any one desired indicia on the member may bepositioned beneath the slot, means providing an indication of theindicia that is positioned beneath the slot with respect to eachelongated member, this lastnamed means comprising indicia placed withinthe confines of the slot on the upper surface of said elongated memberfor positioning beneath said slot and thereby being visible to anoperator, said elongated members being of laminated construction withthe indicia spaced therealong at least some of said indicia beingnumbers from 0 to 9 and with the lower laminate having these numbers onits upper surface and opaque to X-rays while the upper laminate which isof a visually nontransparent plastic has the same numbers positionedthereabove on its upper surface.

1. The combination comprising a generally flat support member adapted tosupport an X-ray cassette and film on the working surface thereof, saidsupport member having an elongated slot therein, an X-ray sourcedisposed so that the X-rays are directed through said slot and meansgenerally confining the X-rays to the region of the slot, meanssupporting a plurality of elongated indicia-bearing members intermediatesaid working surface and said X-ray source, said members being orientedtransversely of said slot and having a plurality of indicia spacedlongitudinally therealong and substantially opaque to X-rays, saidmembers being adjustable transversely of said slot and means forindexing said members in transversely adjusted positions so as toproperly position the various indicia spaced along said members withrelation to said slot, said members having further indicia in additionto said firSt-mentioned indicia with the latter indicia being positionedon the upper surface of the members and visible through said slot withsuch latter indicia being spaced along the elongated members andproviding an indication of the firstmentioned indicia to which the filmwill be exposed, each of the elongated members comprising a first striphaving the firstmentioned indicia engraved therein and filled with amaterial opaque to X-rays and a second strip overlying this engravedstrip and secured thereto with this second strip having said furtherindicia engraved in the upper strip thereof in an orientation convenientfor observation by an operator.
 2. The combination comprising agenerally flat support member adapted to support an X-ray cassette andfilm on the working surface thereof, said support member having anelongated slot therein, an X-ray source disposed so that the X-rays aredirected through said slot and means generally confining the X-rays tothe region of the slot, means supporting a plurality of elongatedindicia-bearing members intermediate said working surface and said X-raysource, said members being oriented transversely of said slot and havinga plurality of indicia spaced longitudinally therealong andsubstantially opaque to X-rays, said members being adjustabletransversely of said slot and means for indexing said memberstransversely adjusted positions so as to properly position the variousindicia spaced along said members with relation to said slot saidmembers having indicia in addition to said first-mentioned indicia withthe latter indicia being positioned on the upper surface of the membersand visible through said slot with such latter indicia being spacedalong the elongated members and providing an indication of thefirst-mentioned indicia to which the film will be exposed, and a timingdevice including a motor-driven portion that has X-ray opaque indiciaindicating the time of day said driven portion having a region exposedto said X-rays positioned intermediate said source and said workingsurface.
 3. In an X-ray film-coding device the combination comprising agenerally horizontally disposed work top having an elongated slotprovided therein, a plurality of elongated indicia-bearing membersmounted beneath said work top transversely of said slot, an X-ray sourcebeneath said members, support means retaining said members in positionand permitting them to be adjusted transversely of the slot, saidmembers having X-ray opaque indicia spaced longitudinally therealong atintervals not less than the width of the slot such that upon adjustmentof said members laterally of the slot any one desired indicia on themember may be positioned beneath the slot, means providing an indicationof the indicia that is positioned beneath the slot with respect to eachelongated member, this last-named means comprising indicia placed withinthe confines of the slot on the upper surface of said elongated memberfor positioning beneath said slot and thereby being visible to anoperator, said elongated members being of laminated construction withthe indicia spaced therealong, at least some of said indicia beingnumbers from 0 to 9 and with the lower laminate having these numbers onits upper surface and opaque to X-rays while the upper laminate which isof a visually nontransparent plastic has the same numbers positionedthereabove on its upper surface.